Oklahoma politicians are in unanimous support of legislation that would allow the National Guard to join forces with state law enforcement officers in anti-drug operations. The measure, introduced by Rep. Dale Wells (D-33rd District), previously passed the House and the Senate Appropriations Committee without any opposition. The Senate is expected to vote on the issue shortly.
“It is against the spirit and letter of the law for the military to be involved in domestic law enforcement,” NORML Director R. Keith Stroup, Esq. said.
House Bill 2596 authorizes the Governor to “request volunteers of the National Guard to provide assistance to federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, within or outside the boundaries of this state, in drug interdiction and counter-drug activities.” Oklahoma ranks as one of the leading states in marijuana eradication; however, law enforcement primarily targets only wild growing marijuana patches known as “ditchweed.” This strain of marijuana will not intoxicate users when smoked. In 1996, “ditchweed” accounted for 96 percent of all marijuana plants eradicated by state and federal law enforcement in Oklahoma.
“House Bill 2596 compromises long-standing principles of federal law and is an utter waste of taxpayers dollars,” Stroup said. “Using National Guard personnel to eradicate ‘ditchweed’ will do nothing to improve public safety.”
For more information, please call either Michael Pearson of Oklahoma NORML @ (405) 840-4366 or Paul Armentano of NORML @ (202) 483-5500. Copies of the NORML position paper: “National Guard Involvement in the Drug War are available upon request.”